The users of online retrieval systems can and should provide feedback to the system operators or vendors to influence them to make changes and further improvements, or to reinforce operator's decisions to make changes in the systems. All members of the database chain--database producers, processors, search service brokers, searchers, and end users…

Until 1980 online information retrieval and dissemination services were for the most part based in the United States. Today, however, a variety of information services as well as packet-switched networks are emerging in other countries. Although U.S. developed software still predominates in overall use, activity in Europe and other countries is…

A primary goal of this project was to develop an interface that would provide direct access for inexperienced users to existing online bibliographic information retrieval networks. The experiment tested the concept of a virtual-system mode of access to a network of heterogeneous interactive retrieval systems and databases. An experimental…

This report describes the development and operation of BARDS, the Bucknell Automated Retrieval and Display System, an online bibliographic access system for a selected section of the collection at the Ellen Clarke Bertrand Library. This system was used by the Bucknell University community from June 1974 through January 1975; further development…

NLS-SCHOLAR is a prototype system that uses artificial intelligence techniques to teach computer-naive people how to use a powerful and complex editor. This new kind of computer assisted instruction system integrates systematic teaching with actual practice, keeping the user under tutorial supervision while allowing him to try out what he learns…

A set of APL (A Programing Language) programs written for use on a time-sharing IBM System/370 computer and used to aid in the teaching of selected econometric concepts is described. The programs involve the simulation of a set of n observations; of a simple regression model Y = A BX U; the plotting of the Y and X simulated values; the estimation…

The Bio-Medical Library at the University of Minnesota has access to two on-line computer systems: the MEDLINE system (MEDLARS ON-LINE) of the National Library of Medicine and the State University of New York (SUNY) Biomedical Communication Network. MEDLINE consists of two files which provide coverage of the "Index Medicus" from 1970 to…

Part Three of this five part report on Salton's Magical Automatic Retriever of Texts (SMART) project contains four papers. The first: "Variations on the Query Splitting Technique with Relevance Feedback" by T. P. Baker discusses some experiments in relevance feedback performed with variations on the technique of query splitting. The…

Two papers are included as Part Four of this report on Salton's Magical Automatic Retriever of Texts (SMART) project report. The first paper: "A Controlled Single Pass Classification Algorithm with Application to Multilevel Clustering" by D. B. Johnson and J. M. Laferente presents a single pass clustering method which compares favorably…

The three documents contained in this report describe an interactive retrieval language implemented for the IBM 360/67 of the Campus Faculty at Stanford University, between October 1969 and May 1970. The three reports are: (1) DIRAC--An Interactive Retrieval Language with Computational Interface, (2) DIRAC--An Overview of an Interactive Retrieval…

Examines the question of instituting direct charges for library service, using on-line bibliographic searching as an example, and contrasts this with the current indirect charging system where services are paid for by taxes. Information, as a merit good, should be supplied with or without direct charges, depending upon user status. (CWM)

Describes an automated system for cataloging nonprint media received by the Copyright Office for registration. Problems in disseminating this unique data base through national networks are considered. The system features automatic inversion of personal names and the use of one entry as a model for the next. (Author/VT)

A mathematical model of a regional interlibrary loan system was developed as a tool for the design and evaluation of a strategy to equalize the load of Interlibrary Loans (ILL) of libraries in the system. The load-leveling capability of several algorithms for representing each library's ILL activity was tested. (Author/VT)

Physical, economic, technical, and social constraints are analyzed in the case of the online vendor, and each component in the chain is considered separately. The user's problems are analyzed from the viewpoint of both the intermediary and the end user, and the effect of the changeover to a new system is considered. (Author)

Recent developments in system use statistics, statistical analysis and research studies by library networks for library decision makers are discussed, as well as issues confronting library networks working toward the improvement of management information services for their member libraries. (Author/MBR)